Assad 'confident' of Russian support for Syria regime

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed “strong confidence” Tuesday that Russia will continue supporting his embattled regime, speaking in an interview with Hezbollah’s Al-Manar television network. Assad also described as “legitimate” the presence in Syria of fighters from Hezbollah backing his forces. The powerful Lebanese Shiite movement, along with Russia and Iran, have been Assad’s major allies since Syria’s revolt broke out in 2011.